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29 June 2011

26.

Well. We did it. The morning was perfect with a blanket of clouds overbush. We were almost solitary in our blueberry picking and got to work, tied buckets around our waists [for those of us with functioning waists] and plucked/dropped, plucked/dropped, plucked/ate, plucked/dropped.

I let out a squeak as a cluster of blueberries seemed rather squishy and wriggly, so I released my grasp to free a bright green frog who was probably a lot happier than I that I didn't keep tugging on the cluster of berries.

I explained to Clover and Azure as we began that we don't pick them if they are pink, or green, or purple. Just blue and big. Only pick the blue berries.

Clover responded, because blue is good for our bodies.

Yes, coming from nature, blue is very good for our bodies.

She took it to heart and ended our picking session without a single berry in her bucket.

Which is fine. Because the rest of us were hard at work. Ryan confided in me he was a really good blueberry picker.

I agreed, and brought him along strategically. ;)

Because in the end, with the equation of 14 hands minus 7 mouths, we totaled...

Twenty six pounds of blueberries. Twenty six.

What, you ask, are we going to do with 26 pounds of blueberries? Eat them of course!

Olive and I made blueberry jam the very same day.

[the view from up here]

Making jam the last time with Olive, I knew something needed to be done to reduce the sticky mess on the jars, so although it's rather random, this has saved me from cleaning sticky jars:

I put the jar right next to the bowl and had the lip hanging over. Worked like a charm. Except my jam didn't set up. It might have something to do with the "little bit of extra water" Olive added because she said she spilled some while pouring it in the pot. Hmm.

We pick blackberries out at our place and my help eat a few along the way too. 2 years ago none of my jam set up either. But we ate it anyway and it tasted just fine! Too much help can cause that... ;) I love to see how you document your adventures. It makes me smile.

Have you read the book Blueberries for Sal? It is one of my favorite children's books, but I find that many people from outside of New England haven't heard of it. It is the perfect story to accompany your day of blueberry picking. It is by the same author as Make Way for Ducklings, a favorite here in Boston.

Roselady-I know, I was so excited to have an excuse to pull it out and use it!

Laura-you need a new helper!

Kelli-yes, it's certainly not keeping us from eating it. It's more of a syrup than a jam. Overnight waffles this weekend!

Lattemama-That is so interesting! I guess just a different type of blueberries. I just make freezer jam, I don't like the cooked taste of the berries, so we'll just try again, maybe without so much "help" ;)

Caroline-NO! But I think a trip to the library is in order because I love his illustrations. We do have Make Way for Ducklings that we picked up when we were in Boston.

I've always really wanted to like blueberries, I still try, but nah, not gnna happen, though I don't mind a blueberry muffin, which explains my waistline, I think they're ohso pretty though, but I won't eat em.

Totally not excessive! We picked over 100 lbs last year and have already run out. Blueberries are great to freeze because you don't really have to wash them - just sort, bag and freeze. Great for smoothies in the winter.

Ive picked 15 lbs on sat. You can read about it on my blog. Our little one decided the Fl heat and humidity were just too much for an Ecuadorian princess. SHe stayed home while oldest daughter and I picked 27 lbs. Hope to go back two more times. (so no 26 lbs isnt excessive. We eat them alot because they are so good for you. Especially as jam gone bad= syrup. ive made many of a jar of it!)

Jam that is not set properly can be re-boiled if you want to HOWEVER we like to "make" our own fruit on the bottom yogurt. Just put the jam on the bottom of any container and plain yougurt on the top and it is perfect! I also loved the recipie for blueberry suryp found here: http://www.simplebites.net/how-to-make-your-own-blueberry-syrup/

We are being innundated with blueberries from our CSA. We've gotten 6 pints a week for the last three weeks -- and I am not a blueberry person. But I have been making the most delectable blueberry rhubarb jam. Honestly, the best jam I've ever made (and I've made a lot of jam). You should try it if you tire of the straight-up blue version.

Blueberries for Sal is a HUGE favorite around here! i'm sure your girls would L-O-V-E it. your pictures made me think of it immediately! we haven't been to take the kids berry picking yet and i'm duly inspired now :O)